Lively Wine Bar in Paris (6th Arrondissement)
I have been so excited to write about Freddy’s because it is truly one of my favorite places to hang out at when I’m staying in Saint Germain in Paris 6th. And no, the owner’s name is not Freddy. As the story goes, he has a very large family and can’t remember everybody’s name, so everyone is just Freddy. So, Freddy is just family and I love that because when you go into Freddy’s you definitely feel like family.
If you’ve ever stayed in the 6th arrondissement then you’ve probably strolled right past Freddy’s. It’s the lively and very popular bar on Rue de Seine, oftentimes with a line of people waiting outside to get in. Fortunately, if you’re the patient type, there is a way you can get the best seat in the house pretty much every time. I’ll get to that in a minute.
The inside of Freddy’s is very small. There’s only one table. I know, right? But that’s what makes it what it is. It’s small, so everyone just kind of squeezes in. Don’t worry, though. They have a long bar with seating, another bar against the wall, and a few seats around where the chef cooks. So there is seating, just not a lot. Rustic stone walls surround everything. There’s a very cool wooden floor, vintage-style barstools, lots of fresh flowers, and the bar itself is absolutely gorgeous.
When you’re sitting at the bar (there’s only one table so you’re probably sitting at the bar) everyone talks to everyone. The bar that’s up against the wall is a mere arm’s length away, so it’s very cozy. One of my favorite things about this place is how easy it is to meet people, cross bar conversations are inevitable. I’ve seen people sitting up against the wall turn around to chat with the people sitting at the main bar, and within seconds there’s a group conversation going with literally everyone inside. That energy was purely magical to witness. There’s people from all over the world here, definitely tourists but also definitely a mix – just not many French people. I found there to be a lot of English speaking people from Canada, the U.K., and Australia. Many of the staff and owners are also from these countries. All of the bartenders at Freddy’s speak excellent English and French.
The menu here is a list of a dozen or so small plates. The food is fresh and innovative. Dishes include poultry, beef, seafood, vegetables, and a few desserts. They change it up all the time, so there’s always something different and delicious. I especially appreciate the ample selection of fish and other seafood options. The chef showcases his talent right at the end of the bar in an open style kitchen. Beverages include beer, wine and cocktails as well as some non-alcoholic options. Their wine by the glass selection is solid, and it includes some lesser-known appellations from around France.
I was extremely impressed with their bottle menu. Wines from Bourgogne, Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, Alsace, Sancerre and many more including a great selection of sparkling. They don’t always hand out the bottle list, so be sure to ask for it. They have a huge wine cellar downstairs where they store all of their masterfully curated bottles.
I’ve had people tell me they’ve tried to go to Freddys but couldn’t get a seat and didn’t want to wait in line. I’m going to share my Freddy’s strategy with you. I understand that this will not work for everyone, but it is a strategy that works for me.
Freddys is open from noon to midnight. Everyday. My favorite seat is the spot next to the bar by the door/window. I can almost always get this spot if I arrive around 3, often even if I get there at 4. And if there’s someone in my spot, I sit somewhere else close by and move over as soon as the seat opens up. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. If you have some time to kill this works great. One thing to note, and I’ve personally witnessed this many times – If you walk in at 3 or 4 the staff will greet you with a smile and let you know the food menu isn’t available until 6, most people are looking for food so most people end up leaving and plan to return later. But here’s the thing – the small plates menu isn’t available until 6, but the charcuterie and cheese menu is available when they open at noon. There are a few other things on this menu as well, such as olives and smoked fish; all served with amazing fresh bread. Sounds like lunch to me!
One thing I really love about the charcuterie here is that when you order it, they go over to this cool, big, red, industrial-looking meat slicer and slice off just the right amount for your order. It’s super fresh, and the quality is very high.
If I’m solo, I usually pop open my laptop and do some writing and chat with the staff. Or If I am with a friend we just visit, snack and sip wine for a couple hours. This is the best time to chat up your neighbors who are also patiently waiting on the dinner menu. Then at 6:00 I usually order 3-4 menu items if I’m alone or 6-8 items to share if I’m with a friend. The size of the dishes is perfect for this and allows you to try many different things on the menu. You’re basically selecting your own multi-course tasting menu. I recently did a 9 course tasting menu at a Michelin restaurant in Paris, and the food at Freddy’s was better! And, my tab was a lot less. If you’ve got plenty of leisure time, go early and you can definitely have the full Freddy’s experience.
Freddy’s Paris
54 Rue de Seine,
75006 Paris, France
Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM to 12 AM
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4 Responses
This is a wonderful story about Freddy’s. Great pictures, too, and the food looks as delicious as described.